Media Statement
February 13, 2015
Kiwis capture “Tea in the City” for Napier’s Art Deco Weekend.
A morning cup of tea on a rooftop, a busker’s tea break between sets, a team of workmates enjoying smoko and teenagers
making social-t connections are all part of how New Zealanders are drinking their tea.
Over 500 enthusiastic photographers from across the country have captured “tea in the city” with the best on display in
a public exhibition for the Tremain’s Art Deco Weekend in Napier from February 18 to 22.
The exhibition celebrates the new connection between Napier’s Tremain Art Deco Weekend and its first international
ambassador Dilmah Tea founder Merrill J Fernando. Mr Fernando and his two sons Dilhan and Malik are visiting Napier to
take part in a range of Art Deco festivities and events.
In early November 2014 Dilmah called for photographs from across the world and New Zealand. The best international
impression captured by a Sri Lankan university student Arthitha Murugananthavel has earned her a trip to Napier for the
Art Deco festival. She will join Dilhan Fernando and Canon NZ sales manager, Brad Gibbons, on the judging panel to
select the New Zealand winner on Friday February 20th.
Entries for the New Zealand section came from across the country. All are enthusiastic photographers and 14 finalists
include teenagers, a house dad, a teacher and a self-confessed obsessive green tea drinker.
The winner will receive a 10 day all expenses paid trip for two to the home of Dilmah to capture the “Moods of Sri
Lanka” and a $5400 photography kit from Canon.
The photographs will be on display at the Creative Arts Napier, Community Arts Centre from February 11 to 22. To view
the 14 NZ finalists’ images and the winning global entry and to find out more about the finalists and their photos go
to: https://www.facebook.com/dilmah
The Fernando family will be hosting two High Teas and a unique Mixology (the art of mixing drinks) event during the
weekend along with special New Zealand guests; chefs Ray McVinnie and Simon Gault, Master of Wine Bob Campbell and
rising mixology star James Millar. A topic of conversation at one event will be the remarkable similarities between tea
and wine.
Ends